With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
How a former Beverly Hills student journalist named Journalism, the Kentucky Derby racehorse
Journalism dashes to a first-place finish at the Santa Anita Derby earlier this month.
(
Benoit Photo
/
Courtesy of Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners
)
While journalism (the industry) has been struggling with layoffs, political attacks and rapid technological change, Journalism (the horse) has been off to the races.
The racehorse with the newsy name had a first-place finish at the Santa Anita Derby earlier this month. This week he arrived at Churchill Downs, where he is widely seen as a favorite to win the Kentucky Derby on May 3.
Journalism got his name from Aron Wellman, founder and president of Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners. He said the moniker was inspired in part by his brief stint as a sports editor for Highlights, the Beverly Hills High School newspaper.
“I have an immense amount of respect for responsible, diligent journalists,” said Wellman, who now lives in the Rancho Santa Fe community of San Diego County.
Sponsored message
He noted that his journalism apprenticeship came in handy during his previous career as a practicing attorney. Now a full-time horse racing professional, Wellman said he still gets to put some of those journalistic skills into practice.
Listen
0:45
How a former Beverly Hills student journalist named Journalism, the Kentucky Derby racehorse
“I do a lot of writing and reporting on our horses,” Wellman said. “We do a weekly newsletter at Eclipse called Total Eclipse. I've been accused a time or two of sounding and acting like a disgruntled sports writer. I embrace that with open arms, and hopefully it all bodes well for Journalism the horse.”
Aron Wellman greets Journalism’s jockey on the racetrack.
(
Benoit Photo
/
Courtesy of Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners
)
When Wellman and his team were mulling over what to name the horse, they decided they wanted a strong word ending in “-ism.” Journalism’s mother had the unusual name Mopotism, and the Eclipse team landed on Journalism as a fitting name for the foal.
Since then, Wellman said, Journalism’s name has taken on a life of its own.
“In this day and age, when the truth and responsible journalism is so critical to our society here in the United States of America, I think the name has grabbed more people than it might have otherwise in the past,” Wellman said.
Sponsored message
He added: “We'll take all the good energy and all the good vibes that we can collect toward the horse as he tries to etch his name into the history books in the Kentucky Derby.”
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
